[ LETTER ]

Spend Money Wisely: Construct Passage to North Side of Lakeland

Published: Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, August 15, 2014 at 11:04 p.m.

The other day, just minutes after 1 p.m., as we approached Main Street going north on South Kentucky, we came upon a traffic jam that blocked the intersection. After a few moments, we realized the congestion was caused by a very long train that was slowly making its way across town.

So we waited and waited until it was nearly a half-hour before the train cleared the tracks. When those long yellow and white wooden arms lifted once more to allow traffic to pass, I rejoiced at the release, finally able to move on.

Then I got angry. Suppose I'd been in an ambulance after a stroke or a heart attack on my way to the hospital? The hospital, and most clinics, are on the north side of town, whereas Old Lakeland — the early settlers in the city — lives mainly in the south.

In other words, we have to go north, across the railroad tracks, to get medical attention. If you are in an ambulance on your way to the hospital and you are about to die, and if a train just happens to be crossing your path, you're dead. End of story.

What I cannot understand is that roads are constantly being worked on, expanded and resurfaced. This means alternate sides of the street for you to travel on, and wait on before you get flagged through, while the other side is being worked. And this is constant.

I can imagine the millions of dollars spent on roads that don't need urgent care — if you prioritize these needs.

How about spending our money intelligently for once? Construct an El downtown for trains to go through above traffic.

The number of cars in this town is growing exponentially, and so is traffic. Let's take care of the problem before it is too late.

<p>The other day, just minutes after 1 p.m., as we approached Main Street going north on South Kentucky, we came upon a traffic jam that blocked the intersection. After a few moments, we realized the congestion was caused by a very long train that was slowly making its way across town.</p><p>So we waited and waited until it was nearly a half-hour before the train cleared the tracks. When those long yellow and white wooden arms lifted once more to allow traffic to pass, I rejoiced at the release, finally able to move on.</p><p>Then I got angry. Suppose I'd been in an ambulance after a stroke or a heart attack on my way to the hospital? The hospital, and most clinics, are on the north side of town, whereas Old Lakeland — the early settlers in the city — lives mainly in the south.</p><p>In other words, we have to go north, across the railroad tracks, to get medical attention. If you are in an ambulance on your way to the hospital and you are about to die, and if a train just happens to be crossing your path, you're dead. End of story.</p><p>What I cannot understand is that roads are constantly being worked on, expanded and resurfaced. This means alternate sides of the street for you to travel on, and wait on before you get flagged through, while the other side is being worked. And this is constant.</p><p>I can imagine the millions of dollars spent on roads that don't need urgent care — if you prioritize these needs.</p><p>How about spending our money intelligently for once? Construct an El downtown for trains to go through above traffic.</p><p>The number of cars in this town is growing exponentially, and so is traffic. Let's take care of the problem before it is too late.</p><p>J.M. CORRAL</p><p>Lakeland</p>